When sci-fi becomes business reality

Hyper-speed 760mph trains, crypto currencies, an urban monorail and augmented reality all have one thing in common: they’re being showcased by the University of Brighton.

16 January 2018

The University’s Green Growth Platform, which supports green businesses to take them to the next level, will later this month unveil the latest technological innovations likely to impact on businesses in the future.

With technology playing an ever-increasing role in the way we live and the way businesses operate, ‘When Sci-Fi Becomes Business Reality’ will be an evening of talks and networking opportunities for green businesses that will demonstrate the opportunities that new technologies can bring to businesses.

Speaker Paul Smith, Global Field Operations Manager for Hyperloop One, will tell the story of the train being developed by Virgin that can travel at up to 760mph and seeks to transform the movement of people and freight. The company aims to have a system operational by 2021.

The train works on electric propulsion through a low-pressure tube. The vehicle floats above the track using magnetic levitation and glides at airline speeds ­– a journey from London to Paris, for instance, would take an estimated 28 minutes compared to the current two hours and two minutes by regular train.

Oenone Scott of Electron, a consultancy specialising in blockchain and e-trading, will share insights into how bitcoin, blockchain and other crypto-currencies work, and how there are real-world applications in the energy sector that could transform the market for balancing the electricity grid.

Speaker Paul Smith, Global Field Operations Manager for Hyperloop One

Hyperlook One

Omaid Hiwaizi of Blippar, the world's first visual discovery app, will present the sustainability opportunities that augmented reality can offer. Augmented reality overlays virtual images and information onto the real world and can have applications in supply chain management, waste reduction and business communications.

And Peter Lovering, Director at BeemCar, will speak about his zero carbon solution to urban transport and pollution; driverless pods that are available on demand and move around cities 5m above street level “imagine a cross between a ski lift and a monorail”.

When Sci-Fi Becomes Business Reality took place at the Ricardo Centenary Innovation Centre in Shoreham-by-Sea on Thursday, 18 January.